Craig Davies came off the bench to snatch a point for Bolton and ruin namesake Billy's Nottingham Forest homecoming in a 1-1 draw.

Billy Davies was officially taking charge for the first time since he agreed to return to the club he so nearly took to the Premier League promise land during his first stint.

The Scot admitted he had unfinished business in the east midlands and he was greeted like a returning hero when he walked out on to the City Ground turf before the contest.

His troops had won just one of their last eight in all competitions but the new manager's arrival had clearly galvanised them as Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made a series of fine first-half stops.

Bogdan was eventually beaten around the hour mark when Andy Reid waited for the ball to drop before burying a sweetly-struck volley into the corner of the net.

Yet Craig Davies, whose arrival as a substitute last week helped Bolton come from behind to beat Burnley, made another goalscoring contribution off the bench to earn Dougie Freedman's men a share of the spoils, although they had to hang on with 10 men following Marcos Alonso's dismissal.

Bogdan's busy afternoon began inside the first five minutes when he flung himself to his right to tip away Henri Lansbury's vicious effort, while the Trotters stopper also kept out Radoslaw Majewski shortly afterwards.

Reid was the next to test the 25-year-old, who reacted with uncertainty to a dipping, swerving effort which went wide via the goalkeeper's wrist.

Forest continued to bombard the Bolton box and Bogdan produced perhaps his finest save of the afternoon by repelling Simon Cox's effort which seemed destined for the top corner.

The one time Bogdan was left stranded, Billy Sharp could not quite apply the finishing touch to Greg Halford's head across.

Freedman's visitors began with more purpose in the second period as Mark Davies fired wide.

Yet Forest still seemed the more likely to break the deadlock as Lansbury brought the crowd to their feet by dancing past two before unleashing an effort which was deflected narrowly over.

The hosts finally got their reward, though, when Lansbury's flick found Reid, who timed his first-time volley perfectly to leave Bogdan with no chance.

Forest's joy was almost short lived as Chris Cohen inexplicably gifted the ball to Kevin Davies, who just had to find a way past Karl Darlow, yet the goalkeeper stayed big to make the stop.

Freedman turned to replacements in the shape of Craig Davies and David Ngog and the two combined to produce a 77th-minute leveller.

Jay Spearing won the ball in the middle of midfield and Ngog raced into the box before cutting back for Craig Davies, who swept home to double his Bolton tally after scoring his first goal for the club last weekend.

Lansbury almost squeezed an effort between Bogdan's legs before Alonso, who had earlier been cautioned for a foul on Craig Dawson, picked up a second yellow card with 10 minutes to go for upending Reid.

Forest sensed blood yet substitute Darius Henderson squandered their best chance by glancing a header well wide.

Mansfield made it 16 goals from their last three home games as they beat Cambridge 3-1.

The Stags maintained their play-off push with a fifth win in six matches, while United suffered a third defeat on the bounce.

Lee Stevenson put the finishing touches on a goalmouth scramble to put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes.

The visitors drew level when Liam Hughes headed in from a Rossi Jarvis corner with 31 minutes gone.

But Paul Cox's men regained the lead just before half time when the U's switched off at a corner to allow Luke Jones to poke home from close range.

Defender Colin Daniel added the third from inside the box after 71 minutes to crown a swift passing move from the rampant home side.

A second-half equaliser from Notts County substitute Yoann Arquin earned his side a point from a 1-1 draw at Walsall whose run of five successive home wins was halted at the Banks's Stadium.

Arquin was on the spot to stab the ball home in the 65th minute when the home defence had failed to clear a cross from the lively Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

It was no more than the Magpies deserved from a much-improved second-half performance and with better finishing they might have won.

Walsall began well on a heavy pitch and in the sixth minute top-scorer Will Grigg forced his way through, but saw his low shot cleared off the goalline by Alan Judge.

Grigg did collect his 11th goal of the season, however, after 29 minutes when County goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski flattened Jamie Paterson in a corner of the box and there was a delay while a flare thrown onto the pitch from the visitors' end was cleared.

Grigg kept his compsure to coolly send the goalkeeper the wrong way and give the Saddlers the lead they deserved.

But managerless County created more chances in the second half and were worth at least a point.

A FAMILY of millionaire travellers who kept workers in appalling conditions have been given nearly £500,000 in legal aid, it was revealed today.
William Connors, 52, wife Mary, 48, their sons, John, 29, and James, 20, and son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, were jailed in December last year after being convicted of conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour.
The victims lived in squalid caravans on traveller sites, including one in Pleasley, on the Notts border.
With the profits from the work, the family funded a luxury holidays and drove around in expensive cars.
Yet they were still able to claim legal aid.
The Legal Services Commission, the quango that oversees legal aid, paid a total of £461,363.68 for lawyers to defend the family during proceedings at Bristol Crown Court.
The large bill was run up during lengthy legal proceedings, which included a three-month trial.
The startling figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information request.
A Legal Services Commission spokesman said: "The law says that anyone facing a Crown Court trial for a serious criminal offence can apply for legal aid to ensure they have a lawyer, but funding is subject to a means test which could require them to pay towards their defence."
The Legal Services Commission could claw back the money if it is found the Connors have assets of over £30,000.
Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers have every right to expect their money to be reclaimed at the very least."
The Connors' enterprise came to an end when police raided the site in Pleasley, as well as Staverton in Gloucestershire and Enderby in Leicestershire in March 2011 following a lengthy surveillance operation.
William Connors was jailed for six-and-a-half years and his wife Mary received a sentence of two years and three months.
John Connors was jailed for four years and his brother James got three years' detention in a young offender institution.
Son-in-law Miles Connors received a three-year prison sentence.
A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is expected to take place later this year when prosecutors will seek to seize the Connors' assets.

BILLY Davies today pledged to repay the welcome given to him by Nottingham Forest fans by working '24 hours a day' to make the club a success.

The Scotsman was given a rapturous reception at the City Ground, as he took charge of his first game since returning for a second spell as manager.

A late goal from Craig Davies denied the Reds boss the win he deserved, cancelling out Andy Reid's superb strike for the home side.

But, while that left Davies frustrated, he was still buoyed by the reception he was given by supporters.

"I'm delighted with what was a great welcome," he said. "I think the Forest fans know why we are here and what we will give them - 24 hours a day, seven days a week to give them all we can to move this club forward.

There is a lot of an assessment to take place between now and the end of the season and a lot of work with regards the players.

"What did I learn today? That we have good players that when they work hard they can cause a lot of problems to a very good side that probably should be top two.

"On another day I think some of our shots would have gone in, their goalkeeper made a lot of blocks and the ball fell to them. I'm sure they'll be delighted with a point and accept they got away with murder getting a point.

"But I have thoroughly enjoyed being back, there's an awful lot to do and things that need to be changed, but I've certainly enjoyed being back in."

Davies believes his team set the bar for themselves, performance wise, with their display against Bolton.

"I said to the players at the end if they give me that effort and application, in terms of the full-backs getting forward and the chances created, I cannot complain," he said.

"I was very pleased with the reaction. We've had a couple of days training this week, there's a lot of work to do, no doubt.  But I think the fans must be pleased with what they've got to today, I'm certainly delighted with the response from the players.

"They deserve a lot of credit, although we are disappointed not to get three points I think everyone would agree we deserved three points.

IN an age where electronic elements are seen in nearly all genres, something as unique as opening band Three Trapped Tigers is rare. The instrumental trio layered guitar and synthesisers over powerful drumming to excellent effect, their world-music-infused rock winning over many with ease.

This introduction only went so far, before Letlive left jaws agape throughout. Frontman Jason Butler has a reputation for the unpredictable, but within seconds, he had thrown himself into the front row, and he caused chaos throughout the set. With all eyes on Butler, it was easy to be distracted from the band musically, but their elegant, progressive hardcore was well worth attention.

With chants of "Chino" already echoing across the room, the first seconds of Diamond Eyes saw more than a simple show. Instead, their idols' performance bordered on something almost religious, with vocalist Chino Moreno the head of the order.

During the climax of My Own Summer (Shove It), the adoration was almost tangible. Deftones are a band who have captured the hearts and imagination of millions and the Californians revelled in their 100-minute set, material from their 21st-century output featuring strongly.

Rocket Skates and CMND/CTRLwere a devastating pair, while renditions of Feiticeira and Nosebleed were prime examples of their early quality. However, the evening's pivotal moment arrived when the frontman picked up his own guitar for Tempest and Swerve City. The former drew everyone in before the latter saw the floor bounce as one. Bloody Cape ended their main set, before a powerful encore of Engine No. 9 and 7 Words left everyone overawed by what they had just witnessed, a night to live long in the memory for all in attendance.

BEAR Hunts, chocolate cake and gerbils were big hits at Nottingham's first Festival Of Words as former children's laureate Michael Rosen performed to a sold-out audience.

The poet and author performed a one-man show of songs, jokes, poems and stories, including well-known pieces like Chocolate Cake and We're Going On A Bear Hunt, and newer ones, including Even My Ears Are Smiling' and Michael Rosen's Big Book Of Bad Things.

With the show suitable for children aged four upwards, the Lakeside Arts Theatre, at the University Of Nottingham, was packed.

Barbara Ross, 45, was among those attending with daughter Bethany, seven.

"It was absolutely fantastic," said Barbara, of West Bridgford. "It was really engaging and he kept their attention for the whole time and the audience participation was great too."

Bethany added: "It was fantastic."

Meanwhile Lucian and Beatrice Munro's favourite part of the show was Eddie And The Gerbils.

They'd come with their dad John Munro, 40, of West Bridgford.

"It was really good," said Beatrice, ten. "Eddie And The Gerbils is my favourite story. We have a head teacher that loves Michael Rosen and he reads us stories so it was really good to see him in person. It was very funny."

Lucian, eight, also liked Eddie And The Gerbils.

He added: "It was pretty good. I like it because it's so funny."

Mr Munro was also impressed.

"I thought it was brilliant," he said. "I don't know him as well as the kids but it was very good – entertaining for adults and kids."

Mr Rosen's two performances on Sunday were just part of the city's Festival of Words, which started on Saturday and runs until Sunday.

Other authors taking part include Alice Oswald, a British poet who won the TS Eliot Prize in 2002, Scottish author A L Kennedy and David Almond, a British novelist who has written for children and young adults.

Authors are giving talks and presenting readings, with events taking place at Newstead Abbey, Nottingham Trent University's Newton Building, Nottingham Playhouse and Lakeside Arts Centre.

Wollaton Hall, Debbie Bryan's shop, Jam Cafe and Broadway are also hosting events as part of the two-week festival, which is Nottingham's first literary festival in 40 years.

Press officer Ian Douglas said the first two days of the festival has been a great success.

"It's going very well," he said. "There's been lots of people here and lots of people making new friends and finding old friends and enjoying our performances.

"Bali Rai's presentation was very well attended, as was A L Kennedy's and everyone is very pleased. There's a really happy atmosphere and lots of exciting stuff going on."

For a full programme of events see http://nottwords.org.uk/

A TAXI driver says he has seen two years of decorating go up in smoke after a blaze ripped through his flat.

Joe Nagy, 40, had only just finished £5,000 of renovation to his flat in Craven Road, Hyson Green, when fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday.

It badly damaged his bed and covered the whole house with a layer of soot.

Mr Nagy said he was out working when he got a call from his neighbour Martty Watson about the fire.

He rushed home and went into his first-floor flat.

He said: "I could see the fire from outside. I went up the stairs but I started choking on the smoke.

"When I got to the top of the stairs I couldn't see anything. I managed to close the door to my sons' bedroom but I couldn't get into my room, where the fire was.

"I went back outside and the fire brigade had arrived. They took over."

It is believed an electrical fault in Mr Nagy's laptop charger started the fire.

He added: "I've just spent two years decorating.

"I had been renting the flat but I moved back in and I've re-done the whole flat. Now it's wrecked. I can't believe it.

"I'm just glad that neither myself or my children were in at the time. I dread to think what could have happened."

Yesterday the two windows fronting on to Craven Road had black soot around them. One had smashed glass and was boarded up.

Inside the whole flat smelled of smoke and there was soot on the walls in all rooms.

Mr Nagy had to spend the night at his neighbour's after the fire and was due to stop at his mum's last night in Grantham. His children, aged between seven and four, were at their mum's home.

"I don't know where I'm going to stay now," he said.

Mrs Watson, 71, said she was watching TV when she noticed the fire in Mr Nagy's home. She called 999 and then Mr Nagy. She said: "I looked up and said to my son there was a light over the road.

"When I looked closer I said 'it's on fire'.

"I told my son to check if Joe's car was there, which would have meant he was in. Luckily he wasn't. You could see the flames in the window. It was really bad."

Notts Fire and Rescue said they sent two crews from Nottingham's Central Fire Station to the blaze at around 12.20am.

POLICE are warning people to be on their guard after a rise in burglaries in the Carlton area.

There were 12 burglaries in Carlton, Carlton Hill and Porchester between February 1 and 13, compared to just three in the same period last year.

Police say there have been a number of arrests in connection with the crimes, but no charges as yet.

However, officers said they were unable to say whether any of the incidents are linked.

Sergeant Carol Adams de Banke said: "Many of these involve offenders breaking in via the rear of the property and taking small electrical items and jewellery.

"Although we have increased our patrols, made several arrests and planned targeted operations in the area, we are also asking for the public's help in reducing this type of crime.

"These burglaries have taken place during day time and early evening and the public can help us by remaining vigilant, especially around these times, keeping an eye out for their neighbours and by reporting any unusual behaviour.

"You might want to consider installing a burglar alarm if you don't have one already."

One target was family-run book shop Book Law Publications, in Carlton Hill, which was also set on fire by the offenders.

Tens of thousands of books are believed to have been ruined in the blaze, which was started in the early hours of February 7.

Catherine Mather, 44, and her 73 year-old father, David Allen, who started the business in 1988, said more needed to be done to improve security for businesses in the area.

Ms Mather said: "We know there is a spate of incidents happening in Carlton Hill.

"We had an attempt on our shop over the weekend before the arson attack. Where we are, we back onto a cul-de-sac so people have easy access.

"We can't do anything about it."

She added: "We would like to see CCTV cameras and more police patrolling. I know we have Community Protection Officers but that's not enough.

"Carlton Hill is a very tight-knit community and we all look after each other, but we cannot stop that kind of crime as it's happening when we're not there.

"We need to do something about it."

Of the state of his business following the fire, Ms Mather said: "We're just realising the full devastation of what happened.

"The back part of the property wasn't damaged by fire, but the amount of smoke and dust created has damaged all the books kept in there.

"Everything in the premises has been lost. It has ruined my livelihood.

"It's knocked us back but we're trying to keep the mail order side going.

"We've near enough cleared the shop now. Hopefully later this week we will be able to start getting it back to normal."

Anyone with any information about the burglaries is asked to call Carlton Police Station on 101, extension 811 6667, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MUM stole more than £2,800 from a charity's bank account while acting as its treasurer, a court heard.

Tina Boswell wrote out 22 cheques to herself in seven months, using money from Nottingham Trent Twins and Multiple Births Club.

Boswell, 35, of Ash Court, Carlton, was struggling with money and the breakdown of her 12-year marriage, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

She pleaded guilty to theft of £2,849.

Boswell joined the club in 2005 after giving birth to twin girls. In November 2010 she became treasurer.

Abigail Joyce, prosecuting, said the bank account with Lloyds TSB had more than £1,300 in it on December 1, 2010. But cheques bounced in June 2011. Miss Joyce said: "The chairman went to the bank to pay in some money and while there requested a statement. It showed the balance of the account was significantly lower than expected."

Copies of cheques were requested and the payments were discovered.

Boswell was arrested in July. Miss Joyce said: "She had limited funds and was clearly in some financial difficulty."

Laura Pitman, in mitigation, described the case as having been a "sad and sorry tale for all parties involved", adding: "It's perfectly clear this is a woman who was struggling in the face of a marital breakdown and financial difficulties, who normally would contribute a lot to the community."

Judge Philip Head gave Boswell, who had no previous convictions, 12 months' jail, suspended for two years. He also ordered her to complete 225 hours' unpaid work.

Nottingham Trent Twins and Multiple Births Club helps around 120 families. Lloyds TSB reimbursed the charity because the money was withdrawn with one signatory, when the bank should have asked for two.

In a statement, the club committee said: "The shock of the discovery and the uncertain situation caused the committee considerable anguish for many weeks. The trustees in particular were deeply concerned that they might be responsible for replacing the missing money themselves.

"On a personal level we feel sad that Tina's personal circumstances have led to this dishonesty. We appreciate there is a community service element to the sentence requiring personal effort but she will not have to pay the money back.

"We had a responsibility to follow the legal process to seek justice and protect the interests of our members, as well as to maintain the reputation of the club as a registered charity."

A SCHOOL choir from Notts are to perform at Wembley Arena – using sign language.

The pupils from South Notts Academy, the old Dayncourt School, in Radcliffe-on-Trent, are to perform at the Voice in a Million concert next month.

In all, 7,000 pupils from across the country will perform at the event, which is being held to highlight the issues of fostering and adoption in the UK.

Pupils from the South Notts Academy will be the only ones using sign language and will perform 18 songs, including a Beatles medley and Gary Barlow song Sing .

"We can't wait to perform there," said the choir's oldest member Vinny Bunby, 18.

"It will be great to perform in front of lots of people. I joined up to the choir recently and I'm still learning some of the signs. But I'm confident I can learn them all."

The choir was set up just over a year ago at the South Notts Academy. Sixteen were chosen to make the make the trip to Wembley Arena on Wednesday, March 12.

The youngsters, who can all hear normally, say they are inspired by their teacher Simon Astill, who is profoundly deaf and has helped to teach them sign language.

Mr Astill has been involved in signed singing for a number of years. He is the director of a signed singing group called Harmoneyes.

Wembley isn't the first big venue the choir have performed at, having previously starred at the LG Arena in Birmingham. In that concert, Rhiannon Jones, 12, performed with Mr Astill on stage.

She said: "I really enjoy doing sign language and would like to use it somehow when I get older.

"I've been a member of the choir since it first started. I'm looking forward to performing at Wembley."

Fellow group member Eve Grundy, 11, added: "Learning sign language has been good fun. Mr Astill is an inspiration to us. Being able to go to Wembley is great for us."

Mr Astill, who runs the signing classes with fellow teacher Nick Entwisle, said: "It is a great achievement by the group. They have performed at a previous Voice in a Million concert and to be invited to perform at Wembley is just terrific."

NEWS that a family of millionaire travellers were given nearly £500,000 in legal aid for a court battle has sparked anger in the area.

William Connors, 52, wife Mary, 48, their sons, John, 29, and James, 20, and son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, were jailed in December for conspiracy to force homeless people to work for them without pay.

The victims lived in squalid caravans on traveller sites, including one in Pleasley, near Mansfield.

With the profits from the work, the family funded luxury holidays and drove around in expensive cars – yet they were still able to claim legal aid.

It was revealed over the weekend the Legal Services Commission, the organisation that oversees legal aid, paid £461,363.68 for lawyers to defend the family during proceedings at Bristol Crown Court.

The startling figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association, to the anger of the Taxpayers' Alliance.

The group's chief executive Matthew Sinclair criticised the availability of legal aid to the wealthy.

He said: "Handing wealthy criminals huge sums of taxpayers' money is yet another example of why our legal aid system is in dire need of reform.

"Legal aid is important in ensuring access to justice but it must also be sustainable to taxpayers.

"It's incredible that this gang were able to claim so much in the first place, but now that they have been found guilty, taxpayers have every right to expect their money to be reclaimed at the very least."

The Connors family were snared when police raided the site in Pleasley, as well as Staverton in Gloucestershire and Enderby in Leicestershire, in March 2011 following a long surveillance operation.

William Connors was jailed for six-and-a-half years and his wife Mary received a sentence of two years and three months.

John Connors was jailed for four years and his brother James got three years' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Son-in-law Miles Connors received a three-year prison sentence. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is expected to take place later this year when prosecutors will seek to seize the Connors' assets.

The Legal Services Commission could claw back the money if it is found the Connors have assets of over £30,000.

A commission spokesman said: "The law says that anyone facing a crown court trial for a serious criminal offence can apply for legal aid to ensure they have a lawyer.

"But funding is subject to a means test which could require them to pay towards their defence."

COUNCILS are being inundated with reports of potholes on their roads in Notts – with an average of more than 90 received each day.

New figures reveal Notts County Council expects to have dealt with more than 32,400 potholes by the end of this financial year – a substantial rise on the 28,921 it fixed last year.

Nottingham City Council has seen the number of complaints from the public increase from 571 in the last financial year to 683 so far in 2012-13.

And garage owners say they have seen a dramatic rise in the number of cars damaged by potholes.

David Drew, who has a garage in Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, said: "Twenty years ago, we'd replace about ten springs a year on cars – now we're nearly getting one car a day.

"The last two to three years have been particularly bad."

Notts County Council has pledged to spend an extra £1m on tackling potholes in 2013-14.

But in the city there are fears the problem could get worse rather than better.

Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for transport at the city council, said: "We recognise that the upkeep of the city's road network is important, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as we face yet another year of cuts in Government funding."

GREEN-BELT land in Toton will once again come under the spotlight as a new consultation launches following plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line.

The Government wants to build the East Midlands hub for the line at Toton Sidings – five miles west of Nottingham.

Like all local authorities, Broxtowe Borough Council is in the process of drawing up its core strategy for housing, which outlines where new homes could be built.

These plans had already been consulted on, but the announcement about HS2 has forced the authority to reconsider some of them.

It is now proposing to remove Toton Sidings from the green belt – a move that could see houses built on the land if successful.

A fresh six-week consultation begins today.

Councillor David Watts, portfolio holder for economy and regeneration at Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "We are asking people whether they think anything should be changed because of HS2.

"At present the core strategy says no building on greenbelt land in Toton, to protect the north of the village and keep the space separate between Toton and Stapleford.

"We are not suggesting that should change, but we are suggesting that Toton Sidings should be taken out of the green belt because it's a bit bizarre they are in there at present. Given that the Government wants to build a railway station there, it makes sense it's out of the greenbelt."

Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry met with campaign group Toton Environmental Protection Society to discuss the u consultation. She welcomed the plan for a HS2 hub in Toton but remained opposed to new housing on the greenbelt.

"What we don't want is thousands of houses. I personally don't think we want a big hotel either. What we want are opportunities for business and for jobs but not at the expense of huge parts of the green belt and there are some particular parts of that green belt which are extremely important to local people."

Full details of what people will be asked will be revealed today.

HS2 is not due to be completed in Toton until 2037.

Everyone who responded to the previous consultation will will be notified of the new one. People can also have their say at www.broxtowe.gov.uk or by writing to the council office's in Foster Avenue, Beeston.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to shut a day centre for people with mental health problems are expected to be criticised by campaigners at a public meeting today.

Supporters of the Open Door Project on Victoria Embankment – which is currently used by around 70 people – were set to attend the meeting in the Long Meadow Day Centre, The Meadows, at 11am to plead with city council representatives to keep it open.

The local authority says the closure is part of £1 million plans to reinvigorate mental health services in the city.

But campaigners and people who attend the centre, which has been running for 25 years, say the Open Door Project provides vital care and support and relocating users to a difference places would cause more problems.

Bob Aston, 74, of Keyworth is a member of the Nottingham Rethink Group which strives for better mental health services. He said he was appalled by the plans.

"Our local day centre facilities and hospital services for people with mental health problems have already suffered draconian cut-backs in the past few years," he said.

"Many people suffering from mental illness are not well enough to make effective complaints."

Councillor Dave Liversidge, the city's portfolio holder for adult services, said last week that the closure of Open Door was part of a £1 million investment in adult care in the coming year and the council wanted to "reorganise" residential and day care services in the city.

Current Open Door users may end up travelling to the Acorn Resource Centre, at the Mary Potter Centre, in Hyson Green, to get the same service.

No date for the closure has been confirmed.

CHRIS Cohen was handed the captain's armband and asked to play out of position at left-back on Saturday, in Billy Davies' first game back in charge of Nottingham Forest.

And Cohen brings all the attributes to the Forest team that Davies will be looking for.

We all know left-back is not the midfielder's cup of tea and he was asked to do it on numerous occasions during Davies' first spell as manager of the Reds.

But the fact is, he does it and gets on with the job and performs a role for the sake of the team.

At the weekend, he had that blunder where his back pass put Bolton striker Kevin Davies clean through but Cohen's blushes were spared thanks to goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Even after his mistake, you heard the City Ground faithful chant his name, getting behind him.

And that is because Cohen brings an honesty to his game. He might not be as technically gifted as some players but he will never let you down when it comes to commitment.

It is his honesty and tireless effort that gets him through and although he made that error, you cannot point a finger at him because he gets through more work than say six other players do when all put together.

And, that aside, he had a solid game at left-back at the weekend, a real captain's performance.

You forget he is still just 25, yet has played over 200 games for Forest since joining from Yeovil. And it is players like Cohen who Davies knows he can put his full trust in, whether he asks him to play in midfield, at left-back or even in goal.

If every player followed his example when it comes to passion, work-rate and honesty, Forest would be a force to be reckoned with, probably flying high at the top.

WEST Bridgford residents have just days left to have their say over the future of one of the town's most historic buildings.

Grade II-listed Bridgford Hall, in Bridgford Park, has been used as a register office for many years, and has played host to hundreds of weddings.

But, this looks set to change when the service moves to the new West Bridgford Library in the spring.

As previously reported Rushcliffe Borough Council, which owns the building, plans to offer prospective tenants a 125-year lease on the building.

The council has suggested it could be used as a restaurant or hotel, but is considering different uses and wants views by Sunday .

Yvette Oldham, who has lived in Compton Acres for 27 years and visits the centre of West Bridgford every day, hoped the new tenant would retain the wedding venue aspect of the building.

She said: "It's such a beautiful place to get married and I think it would be a shame if that was lost.

"There used to be a prefab building in Bridgford where people would get married and it wasn't half as nice as Bridgford Hall. So I definitely think the classy venue for a wedding should be a factor in the new tenancy."

She added: "A small hotel would be a good idea. I don't want to see it used as a pub or flats because that would lower the tone."

Penny Poyzer, 52, of Patrick Road, got married at Bridgford Hall. She said a hotel would be a preferable use .

Mrs Poyzer said: "We have wonderful memories of getting married there.

"It is just beautiful with the views over the park and we've got some gorgeous pictures.

"It would be nice to see the park incorporated a bit more in the use of the building. It's one of the most iconic buildings in West Bridgford and everyone knows it, so a little hotel would be nice. There isn't a hotel in the centre of the town at the moment.

"I think this represents a great opportunity to turn the building into something useful but I'd like it to be eco-friendly and maintain the wedding venue status."

The council is also seeking leaseholders for the adjacent Park Lodge – a two-storey, three-bedroomed house on the edge of the park, near the bustling town centre.

Prospective tenants must express an interest in the building by February 22 by contacting Lauren Watson at bridgfordhall@rushcliffe.gov.uk or 0115 9148219. It is hoped the lease can be finalised in the summer.

Residents can express their views on the future use of the building at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/bridgfordhall where more information can be found on the building.

IT was an afternoon that began with a pre-recorded video message for the entire stadium and ended with a more personal face to face with a hundred or so supporters in a car park.

But what came in between for Billy Davies may have given him the belief that, this season, anything could still happen at Nottingham Forest.

The Scotsman marked his return with a short recording, broadcast over the giant screens at the City Ground, in which he explained the "unfinished business" he feels he has at the club, before striding out of the tunnel to rapturous applause.

And, some time after the final whistle, after stopping his car to talk to fans on his way out of the stadium, Davies ended up spending a few minutes giving a more intimate appraisal of his hopes, having returned for a second spell in charge.

His mood, at that point, may have been tinged slightly with frustration, after failing to see his side mark his return with the win their performance richly deserved.

But, if the evidence of an improved, lively display was anything to go by, just six days into his tenure, then Davies should also have cause for optimism.

The fly in the ointment was a familiar one, in the form of an issue that has long dogged Forest under two previous managers this season, as a rare but costly moment of defensive fragility allowed Bolton to snatch a point and provide an unwanted twist in the plot.

But while Henri Lansbury was guilty of lingering in possession – and ultimately losing it – before David N'Gog squared the ball for fellow substitute Craig Davies to slot home an equalising goal for the visitors, his performance also typified that of the team in general.

Because, otherwise, asides from one error of judgement, Lansbury and the rest of the Forest side played as well as they have done in some time. They were, at times, close to imperious.

And they were certainly constantly incisive, as they carved out a barrage of opportunities. Indeed, the main protagonist in Forest's failure to collect all three points was not Lansbury, but Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan, who produced the performance of his life.

Bogdan could do little when, as he latched onto a clever knock-down from Lansbury, Andy Reid rifled an unstoppable shot across him and into the far corner of the net in the 59th minute.

But this was otherwise an afternoon when he had threatened to steal the limelight from Forest's returning manager. Time and again Bogdan intervened to thwart Forest, as their urgent, slick football helped them to carve out openings in the visiting defence.

Lansbury, flashing a shot on the turn after good work from Gonzalo Jara, saw the keeper push the ball away acrobatically before regaining his feet to save again, at the near post, when Radi Majewski lashed the loose ball towards goal.

Simon Cox, after cutting a swathe through the Bolton rear-guard, could not find a way past Bogdan, who plunged low to his right to block when a goal seemed the certain outcome.

And Majewski, Reid, Lansbury again, Adlene Guedioura and Billy Sharp all found their route to goal blocked off by the distinctive, flame-haired Hungarian, who had clearly not read Davies' script.

In all, there were not vast changes to the personnel, from the team that faced Bristol City – but there were a few significant ones, amid three changes to the starting line-up.

Davies relegated regular skipper Danny Collins to the bench, with Elliott Ward drafted in, he replaced Dexter Blackstock with Cox up front and drafted Lansbury into midfield, and slotted Cohen into the left-back position in place of Dan Harding.

Never mind unfinished business, the fact Davies was willing to drop Collins in his first game demonstrated he means business.

While Cohen and Lansbury, in particular, played starring roles. In Cohen's case, it may not be the role he craves, as he found himself again slotting into the back four, as he often had done under Davies' previous reign.

Being handed the skipper's armband may have sweetened the pill a little for the versatile, long-serving former Yeovil man, who largely looked more than comfortable – and helped to ensure that, for once, Forest had plenty of width going forward.

Indeed his combination with Reid down the left and that of Gonzalo Jara and Lansbury down the opposite side was frequently one of Forest's strengths, with Guedioura and Majewski combining to supply work-rate and guile in the centre.

In the past, Davies' post-match press conferences were often peppered with appeals for new signings; for support from above when it came to bolstering his squad.

This time around, the message has been very different. Davies, he says, wants to wait and see. He wants to assess his current squad, before rushing into making additions in the loan market.

And, when you look at the bench Forest fielded on Saturday, there is a logic to that. Because this has never been a squad that lacks quality.

Along with Collins, Guy Moussi and Jonathan Greening did not get onto the pitch, while Lewis McGugan, Darius Henderson and Blackstock all had to be satisfied with cameo roles.

And, having gone through much of his last spell at the club without a permanent, recognised left-back, Davies now even has one of those at his disposal, if he chooses, with Harding likely to be fit enough for selection when Huddersfield visit tomorrow.

Instead of quality, the shortfall this season has generally been found when it comes to simple consistency. Under Sean O'Driscoll in particular, Forest played well, but they did not do it regularly enough.

In the past, Davies may well have built a reputation for being confrontational, but there was another c-word that could be equally well applied – and that is consistent.

The club, after all, went on two lengthy unbeaten runs during his previous reign; runs that culminated in top-six finishes for the club.

It will take something special for a play-off place to be secured this time around, with eight points now the gap between Forest and sixth-placed Middlesbrough, with 14 games left to play.

Davies insisted afterwards he does not possess a magic wand. But, if he can conjure up the same performance levels between now and the end of the campaign, there could still be a rabbit for him to pull out of the hat. His unfinished business could yet be addressed sooner than you might think.